Story – Selfie with Tumor!!

After one month of break, Soumya came to college today. After First lecture of Organic Chemistry, I went to speak to her. She looked dull,
Puffy eyes as if the dam on the river of tears is yet to build. I held her hand in mine and said,” I am sorry for your loss”. Her eyes became red and nostrils watery. She is my bestie since Grade 7 these many years her mom never made me feel as If I am her daughter’s friend. She always welcomed me with the same love she does for Soumya. After a pause of few minutes. I said, “It was a tumor, I know it’s sometimes difficult for a body to fight with the cancerous tissue.” I continued, “I sometimes don’t believe Preeti Aunty is not with us . ” I could feel the clench on my hand with Soumya fingers, her grip was tight, her face was red and I could see the anger from her facial expression. She stood we went to the common room on the first floor, It was the time for the second Lecture we bunked the class.

In all this while Soumya after sipping some water said, “It was not the tumor”. I looked at her and wanted to understand more what did she mean. She continued, “It was Doctor’s wish to take a selfie with the tumor.” My jaws dropped I could not understand what exactly she was saying in her shaky voice. She was continuously wiping her tears” We came to know with one Junior Doctor that the Surgeon asked a nurse to take a selfie of the entire team while he was holding the tumor in his hand”. I had tears in my eyes. Soumya Continued, “The tumor was about 500 gms not malignant or cancerous. My mom could have survived if that doctor did not urge to have selfie “.
I could understand the situation and trauma of my bestie. She continued “while they all got busy in their photography my mom’s BP dropped and they ignored when the junior doctor alarmed the team in a hassle they mistakenly cut the important vein”.
She was sobbing “This caused internal bleeding inside the mom’s abdomen and we lost her.”

I tried to console by BFF at my level best. I know her loss is so big. Preeti Aunty we all will miss you. I am sure the Doctor’s team will get punished as Soumya’s family as sued the hospital.

But with all this who is at a loss?
Where is the humanity?
Is the Profession of a Doctor is still Nobel?
Wasn’t this a negligence?
Will I be able to get my darling, jolly always energetic friend back?.